Arad shingle takes over Sony videogame adaptation

The producer, who recently produced “The Amazing Spider-Man,” replaces Michael De Luca, who had been developing the film at Columbia Pictures since 2008.

Announcement was made at a Tokyo press event feting the 25th anniversary of the game series. Konami announced that “Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes” will be the next installment.

Property revolves around a mercenary named Solid Snake who stealthily neutralizes terrorists while on missions. Screenwriter David Hayter voices the character in more recent installments.

Arad’s Arad Prods. shingle, which he runs with son Ari Arad, has a number of other videogame adaptations in the works, including Naughty Dog’s “Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune,” based on the game exclusive to the Sony PlayStation, as well as “Twisted Metal,” “Pac-Man” and “Mass Effect,” with Legendary.

“For many years I fought to bring comics to theaters,” Arad said at the press conference. “Comicbooks are now the biggest genre in cinema, (and) videogames are the comicbooks of today. We will take our time and tell the story with all the nuances, ideology, cautionary tales needed.”